This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Goalie
Scott Darling, CAR at BUF ($7,600): Darling draws a matchup against the offensively challenged Sabres tonight, a team he has fared well against lately. Over his last two games against Buffalo — who average a league-worst 2.16 goals per game this season — Darling is 2-0 with a 1.00 goals against average while stopping 49 of 51 shots against him over the two-game stretch. He's been shaky of late but should produce in a relatively soft matchup tonight.
Center
Joe Thornton, SJ at VAN ($5,400): Thornton has been quietly on a nice roll of late and is still seeing prominent ice time on the first line and top power-play unit for the Sharks. Heading into last night, he had recorded points in three straight games with a goal and four assists over that stretch. The matchup against the Canucks is inviting, as Vancouver has allowed the most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks, generously allowing 12 goals and 29 assists over a 14 game span.
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. CAR ($5,600): O'Reilly continues to be solid for Buffalo with points in each of his last three games with a goal and two assists to go along with an average of three shots on goal during this stretch. He's averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per game, seeing time on the second line and top power-play unit where he has scored four of his eight goals this season. He's a rock-solid option at this salary with double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games.
Wing
Tomas Hertl at VAN ($4,700): For the Sharks, Hertl has made himself a valuable commodity moving forward and has been playing at a high level of late. He had his three-game point scoring streak snapped last night, over which he had recorded two goals and two assists. He's seeing second line minutes as well as time on the top power-play unit. He's had success of late against the Canucks, scoring four goals and adding four assists over his last six games against them.
Tyler Toffoli, LA at NYR ($5,700): In his last seven games, Toffoli has four goals and two assists for the Kings, who are red hot over their last 10 games with an 8-1-1 record. Toffoli is a high-volume shooter and is averaging 3.38 shots on goal per game and has a total of 14 goals on the season, three of which have come on the power play. The Rangers have played better defensively but are still allowing 32.9 shots on goal per game, which plays right into the hand of the sniping Toffoli.
Sebastian Aho, CAR at BUF ($5,400): Aho has gone through some ups and downs this season after a very good 2016-2017 campaign. He has seven goals and 14 assists on the season and is averaging a shade under three shots on goal per game. In his last four games against the Sabres, he has lit the lamp twice and averaged 3.25 shots on goal. Seeing time on the first line and top power-play unit, Aho is a solid bet to produce tonight against the Sabers, who have been stingy defensively but are playing in their second game in as many nights.
Defense
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. CAR ($4,700): Ristolainen is always in play for me at this price point, especially when he draws a good matchup like the one against Carolina tonight. Over the last four weeks, the Hurricanes have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to defensemen, and the ever-steady Ristolainen has been just that. He has double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games and at least three shots on goal in five of his last six contests.
Morgan Rielly, TOR at DET ($4,700): Rielly brings offensive upside to the blue line every night with four goals and 17 assists on the season for Toronto. He has points in two of his last four games and draws a matchup against the Red Wings who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the position in the last month. His presence on the power play is a bonus, as you can include him in a potential Toronto stack with one or all of James van Riemsdyk, Mitch Marner and Tyler Bozak with whom he correlates well.
